Fun in the Sun

Base up top: 425 cm    Temp Top; -6 Degrees

Base at bottom; 260 cm

New Snow since close: 15-20 cm

Weather; Light snow

Snow has returned for the day here in Nozawa Onsen. After clear skies early last night it looked as if not much would fall. However sure enough we woke to a coverage of 15-20cm of fresh on the upper areas of the mountain and 10cm at village level. Clouds are covering the mountain still, it looks like these falls will continue today. Good times await.

Yesterday we had a beautiful sunny spring like day. Many people were stoked to get some sunshine after such and extended period of snow and very cold weather. The snow started out firm and fast with a cold morning. During the day a very slight southerly breeze blew in some warmer air and combining with the winter sun of Honshu the snow became somewhat slushy and forgiving. Really, it was a great day to be cruising about the mountain at a relaxed pace. For the real adventurous there was still more than few fresh tracks to be had in isolated shaded gullies.

A tasty looking forecast awaits us for the next week or so. Snowfalls will clear later today and tomorrow should be mostly sunny with increasing clouds during the afternoon, the buildup to what will be a huge dump. Its looking as if around 50-100cm of snow will fall from Sunday night till Tuesday morning so there will be some powder about. Temperatures will be some of the coldest all season with a freezing level well below sea level. Light to moderate snowfalls are then set to continue for most of next week.